Means for guiding floating logs



(No Model.) y

' J. FINNEY 8v G. DAVIDSON.

MEANS FOR GUIDING FLOATING LOGS, &G.

Patented'SepL 12, 189.3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

JASPER FINNEY AND GEORGE DAVIDSON, OFGOULDING, ASSIGNORS OF ,ONE- THIRD TO E. EWING REESE, OF PENSAOOLA, FLORIDA.

MEANS FOR GUIDING FLOATING LOGS, 80C.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 505,039, dated September 12, 1893. Application led December 27;1892- Seral No, 456,321. (No model.)

avoid any obstruction such as a rock or an lsland.

The said invention, briefly stated, consists 1n a cable which is stretched along the river or stream from the place at which the logs are shlpped, to the place of destination, and supported at a proper distance above the surface of the water, at the surface,`or slightly below the same, by means of guy wires attached to poles, trees or any other elevated objects' on the banks, adapted for the purpose.

It further consists in a trolley which is secured to the log, through which the stream cable passes and which is of such construction that the guy wires may be passed without their oering any obstruction to the movement down stream, of the trolley and log, as will hereinafter fully appear.

In the further description of the said invention which follows, reference is made to the accompanying drawings forming apart hereof and 1n which- Figure l is a plan of the stream showing the stream cable, the guy wires and a log provided with the trolley. Fig. 2 is a top view of the log and the stream cable with its guy wires, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a side View of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an end view of Fig. 3.' Figs. 5 and 6 are still further enlarged views of the trolley, the former showing a top, and the latter a section of the former taken on the dotted line :2c-wc.

Referring to the drawings,A represents the stream and B the stream cable stretched between a pole or anchor a at the point of shipment, and a similar anchor b, at the place of destination.

C C are guy wires which connect the stream cable B to posts or trees D, on or near to the banks. These guy/wires are so arranged as to make the stream cable conform somewhat to the general course of the river and also to deflect the cable where necessary to avoid obstructions in the stream.

E represents a log. The log is provided with two trolleys F which serve to connect it with the stream cable. Each trolley consists of a disk or circular plate CZ in two parts or sections separated by a channel e and which are connected by a trough f through which the stream cable passes. Pivoted to the center of the upper side of the plate d is a revoluble guard g consisting of a circular plate having a number of curved arms h several of which are at all times across the slot e between the two parts or sections of the disk d. The arms which cross the slot serve to prevent the stream cable from leaving the trough and at the Sametime allow of the guy wires C passing the trolley. The ends of the active arms 71, pass under a lip il which prevents their beingraised or lifted by the cable.

In the drawings, the disk el is shown as dished so as to make its surface conform somewhat with the direction taken by the guy wires, but a iiat disk will answer the purpose as well as a dished one and is cheaper to make. When a flat disk is used the guard g is also flat.

On the under side of the disk cl is alug j pivoted to a dogH which is driven in the log. A stiffening bracket 7c connects the upper portion of the lug j with the edge of thedisk d.

. Supposing a log is provided with trolleys as described, and it is desired to float it down stream to the'point h, it is placed under `the stream cable. As the log moves onward,| the cable enters the trough, the arms h moving around to admit ofthe attachment. When the log is connected to the cable as described, it cannot become detached, and as the curved arms h come in contact withthe guy wires they turn and allow the said wires to pass. The log is now carried with the current, and follows the stream cable until it reaches its destination, without any attention whatever. 4 It will be understood thata number of logs may follow each other very closely, and large numbers be thus transported without any ex- IOD pense for labor in guiding them. Further, it will be seen that rafts consisting of a large numberof logs secured together, can be transported the same as a single log.

We claim as our invention- 1. In combination with a cable extending along a river and secured between the banks thereof, a trolley connected to the cable and adapted to move longitudinally thereof, and suitable mechanism to attach the said trolley to a log, whereby the said log may be guided while floating down stream, substantially as specified.

2. In combination with a dog adapted for attachment to a log, a trolley pivoted thereto, the same consisting of a disk in separated sections connected by means of a trough, and a guard plate having arms which cross the slot or opening between the two sections of the disk, substantially as specified.

3. As means for guiding logs as the same are floated down a stream or river,V a stream cable secured in the said river from between posts or anchors situated at the shipping point and the place of destination, guy wires attached to the said stream cable and connected to poles on the river banks whereby the cable may be made to conform to the general direction of the river or stream and be also deiiected for the purpose of avoiding obstructions, combined with a trolley adapted for attachment to a log, said trolley having a guiding trough and a revoluble guard which prevents the lifting of the said cable from the trough and at the same time allows the guy wires to pass the trolley, substantially as specified.

JASPER FINNEY. GEORGE DAVIDSON. Witnesses:

ALEXANDER DONALDSON SLACK, EZEKIEL EWING REasE. 

